Team B*REAL

A family of endurance athletes where every BODY is accepted

Meet The Team

I joined Team B*REAL looking for structure and motivation, but I found so much more. Such an amazing, motivating, and judgement-free community. It's the kind of place where everyone celebrates each other's successes.

Erin
Marshfield Hills, MA

Karen
Easton, MA

As I approached retirement, I wanted a new challenge, and a triathlon seemed perfect. Connecting with Adina was a game-changer. She's exactly the coach I needed – knowledgeable, a great communicator, and she guides me based on my abilities and goals.

If you want to finish well, then you have to keep looking forward. Don’t look over your shoulder, and don’t look behind you. Keep moving forward.

KB
Quincy, MA

Kate
Scituate, MA

Coming back from surgery, I was hesitant about whether my body could handle training again. But Adina and Team B*REAL changed everything.

I'm always apprehensive about big goals. So, when I decided I wanted to tackle a longer distance open water swim and really improve my swimming technique, I was definitely nervous. Team BREAL is so supportive and Adina is relatable, encouraging, and empowering.

Amy
Reading, PA

Letty
New River, AZ

The last six months have been incredibly challenging, but Team BREAL has been my rock. I joined to improve my health and stamina, and I've gained so much more. Adina is an amazing coach – encouraging, knowledgeable, and hilarious!

I never thought of myself as an “athlete” but always felt I had an untapped potential for endurance sports.

Gina
Hopkinton, MA

Siobhan
Quincy,MA

As a lifelong athlete I knew what I wanted, but wasn’t sure how to get there. Adina took out the guesswork. She worked with me to create an individualized plan that allows me to focus on my "why": I will not let MS hold me back.

Marci is a seasoned triathlete of 20 years who is living proof of what undying passion, devotion, and perseverance looks like in an athlete. She admits that she has not always been the strongest, fastest, or most decorated triathlete but is confident in the truth that this does not define her as any less of a triathlete or endurance athlete.

Marci
Silver Springs, MD

Susan
Milan, MI

Susan describes herself as an older, stubborn athlete who races to finish. She is unphased by outside condescending opinions or judgments and self-assured in her ability and accomplishments as a triathlete. She races to prove her capabilities and is steadfast and adamant on never giving up until she crosses the finish line.

Being an introvert by nature, I was never into the ”team scene”. I’m usually doing sports alone – me against me. I’ve been an active athlete for 30+ years and have been competing in events for over 20 years. I’m a triathlete, ultra runner, cyclist, surfer, open water swimmer, snowboarder, skateboarder.

Cheryl
Placerville, CA

Carlee
Gardner, MA

I never thought I was an athlete until I was 41 years old and I heard a trainer tell me that anyone with a body can be an athlete. It blew my mind! All these stories I had told myself since I was a child, that I was "too fat", "too tall", "a girl", "a musician" "a nerd"...I had convinced myself that meant I couldn't BE an athlete. Man was I wrong.

I love triathlon because I can switch to a different discipline instead of racing in one sport the entire race which, to me, is much more interesting than a single sport race. I’ve reached the podium, raced in heavy downpours, finished last and even found myself on television when Outdoors Delmarva filmed our race.

Ann
Easton, MD

Marci
Silver Springs, MD

Marci is a seasoned triathlete of 20 years who has found true support, engagement, and encouragement with Team BReal. She swam throughout her childhood but it wasn’t until an interest meeting at the University of North Texas where she was introduced to her true calling: triathlon! Just like any beginner triathlete, Marci had no idea what she was doing when she ran her first triathlon in March 2004, but it was the culmination of inspiration, reassurance, and encouragement among other racers that pushed her to be one of the fastest finishers of the day. Immediately, she was hooked. Since her first triathlon almost 20 years ago, Marci went on to surpass what she believed to be her limits, completing several Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons as well as ten half iron distance, three full iron distance triathlons, and 20 marathons!

Marci is living proof of what undying passion, devotion, and perseverance looks like in an athlete. She admits that she has not always been the strongest, fastest, or most decorated triathlete but is confident in the truth that this does not define her as any less of a triathlete or endurance athlete. Throughout her extensive experience in the world of triathlon, she’s encountered the sweeping mentality that the overwhelming support – which made her fall in love with the sport in the first place – is repeatedly targeted toward champions and winners. She recalls being enticed by the promised support offered by triathlon groups, only to realize that her meaningful accomplishments were not valued and merited less acknowledgement than those of members who were winning or qualifying for big races.

What Marci has come to love about BReal is that everyone is treated like a champion, every member and accomplishment is worth celebrating, and every part of her journey as a triathlete is seen as worthwhile because it is important to her. In an interview with B*Real founder Adina O’Neill, she says about triathlon “I am passionate. If there’s something that I really love, something that makes me happy, I am passionate about continuing to do what I love, even if there are others – which I’ve obviously experienced in the past few years – that have told me that you don’t belong. I’m passionate. I love it. It makes me happy”.

Triathlon has enabled her to ease her struggles with depression and anxiety and she defines her proudest accomplishment as showing up and making it through the 2023 season despite her own personal struggles. This year, she looks forward to completing her first open water 5k swim, a goal in the making for the past 12 years. Marci is tenacious and dedicated, finding that Team BReal has given her a family with which she can share and preserve her love for the sport.